Mellow Morning, Mice and Mist.

Hello, Lovelies! Hope you are all well in Crochetland?

🌸🐭🌸

It's a misty morning here in the Cape of Storms ( sadly, no storms yet! ). Everything is blooming though, in anticipation of the coming Winter rains. Almost like an offering to the Rain Sprites, Proteas, Honeysuckle and Guara bushes display their jewel flowers against a backdrop of Table Mountain (shrouded in moody rain clouds) imploring the drops to fall. But so far, nothing.

I want to introduce you to Mary Walker, an absolutely amazing local photographer who lives in Riebeek-Kasteel ( where we often escape to our off-grid housey ). She's been very busy capturing the wildlife goings on at this time of the year and managed to snap this wee Mouse munching away on fresh Guara flowers ( aka Beeblossoms ). I have loads growing in my urban garden but I've yet to see a Guara munching Mousie!

From March in almost every Cape garden you'll find these adorable little birds, the Southern Double-Collared Sunbird! They arrive in large groups at the end of Summer and stay for at least 6-months. They flit among the Honeysuckle hedge right outside my studio window! I forget all about my crochet then!

Again, Mary Walker has captured a perfect image!

I know that in the Northern Hemisphere you are all waking from your Winter hibernation, while we down South begin the joyful task of settling into all things cosy. I love the soft daydreamy, natural tones of this image, the bed-linen, the cup of coffee...it all makes for a long, lazy, mellow morning, right? I've reached that age where it is all possible now. Or should I say my children have reached the age where it's possible for me to lie -in as long as I like. That is until I hear my yarn and hook calling!
This little fur-ball has no problem mellowing out, any time of the day, Miss Augusta. She is a Master Mellower!

For today's Colour Friday I've used Scheepjes Catona. It's 100% mercerised cotton. The recommended hook size is 3.50mm. You can find out about all the amazing colours HERE! There are 109 colours! The names are totally droolicious too. Internationally you can order from Woolwarehouse in the UK. In South Africa, you can order from Be Inspired 

The colours I used are:

🐑 Rose Wine 396

🐑 Old Rose 408

🐑 Sweet Mandarin 523

🐑 Petal Peach 263

🐑 Linen 505

🐑 Bridal White 105

🐑 Lime Juice 392

🐑 Sage Green 212

I hope these colours will put you in the perfect mellow weekend mood. 💗

Todays Pattern Giveaway is a gorgeous pattern from one of my favourite designers, the super-talented Natalia Kononova from Outstanding Crochet. It's a perfect Spring/Summer top and I love the climbing rose. Leave a comment (and your Ravelry name) and I will randomly ( out of a hat! ) choose 3 x Winners next Friday! Good luck! 

The Winners are, for last Friday's Giveaway which was the wonderful, whimsical doily pattern called "Barbara" by Grace Fearon....

🌹 Marie de Reuk🌹

🌹 Amina Khan🌹

🌹 Jenny5🌹

🏆CONGRATULATIONS🏆

Good news is that I have finally completed the extension for High Tea! Yipppeeeee! I can't wait to show you but for now, it's still a secret! 😉

I did a Poll last week to see which version you would all like, one pattern ( the block + extension = throw ) or two separate patterns to mix and match when the other 3 x Blocks and Extensions are complete. The majority voted for two separate patterns to mix and match. HOWEVER... I have decided to make the High Tea Throw available as ONE pattern on Love Crochet and Etsy! As soon as the text pattern is complete I will drop ALL the relevant links here ( in a blog post ). 

Wishing you all a wonderfully mellow weekend!

💗Jen